MP calls for halt to revenge killings in Lakes State

David Kockedhie Puondak, a member of the Lakes state assembly representing Amongpiny constituency of Rumbek Centre, says the inter-communal fighting in the state has reached its worst stage ever, calling on authorities to work together to stop the bloodshed.

The violence among the Kuei, Rup and Pakam communities of greater Rumbek is related to disputes over grazing lands, cattle raiding, land in the town, and social issues such as marriages, adultery and girls' elopement, he said.

David said the pattern of revenge killings in the state is moving from bad to worse, and spreading from rural areas to the urban centre, where intellectuals are being targeted for killing. The MP is appealing to the state governor and the county commissioners to exert more efforts to arrest the security situation in the state.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Disabled Association for Rehabilitation and Development, a community-based civil society organization operating in Lakes State, Akim Chipuounyuoc Awur, urged the Agar community to stop violence and revenge killings in the state as it is against development and delivering of services to the state’s citizens.